Boy Scout Weekend

Well the holiday weekend was originally scheduled for Willowbrook Baptist Church and a weekend family camp out, but that kind of fell apart about a week ago. Instead, Chris Wilson scheduled it for Boy Scout Troop 757.

I hung out with them for a while, learned a thing or two, and took a few pictures. Several, well actually, most of the boys up for this trip were new . . . this was their first official outing. I think the word 'tenderfoot' was used.

One of the leaders, Ken Boyd, explained the three pot system they had going here.

The first pot was hot boiling water, the second one was water with Clorox, and the last was just cold water. Wash, sanitize, and rinse.

There was plenty of food and activities were going on as well. When everyone first arrived, the pulled up into the upper campground and the rain began to fall. They dropped back to Plan B, which was to camp out near the Pavilion. They were certainly prepared, as the camp trailer was packed.

I think it was Saturday morning when I could finally get back up there and I heard quite a commotion going on about something. As I got closer it was clear there was a contest going on. A standing jump contest I guess it would be called. Instructors were standing by with tape measures.

Everyone seemed to have a great time and I'm sure much was learned by all!

Family Reunion at MACOBA

The Kimbrough family reunion reminded me of the early years of my life when MaMa was still around we had a family reunion every year in August at her house. She had seven kids of which my dad was the youngest. Those were some good memories filled with plenty of food and always meeting a cousin or two I had never seen before. The men would end up pitching horseshoes, telling hunting stories, and discussing where the fish were biting. The women would be in a big group filled with laughter one minute and almost a hush of silence the next. Dad always said they were sharing prayer concerns during those quieter times while other men referred to it as something different. One of the sad things about my grandmother's death was the reunions also seemed to die out as well. Oh they tried to all get together a time or two after that but other things always seemed to come up.

I spent a little while with the Kimbrough family and they seem to be such good folks. I have known Wayne (Pastor of Five Points Baptist) for several years now. He and his wife are such servants of our Lord. I also spent some time talking with Eddie, Wayne's son. Eddie and I share a lot of the same thoughts and beliefs when it comes to the church and ministry. It was good to see a family these days and times to make it a point to get together on a regular basis so as not to lose touch. I hope to see them again.

Pastor's Conference

The last Pastor's Conference before summer break was held Tuesday at Camp MACOBA. This was also the fish fry. The best I could determine there were about forty folks present for this event, including all the staff. Chris Wilson and Sam Kelly also made it up. I noticed Bobby Gordan, pastor of Legacy Baptist Church, was there and I spoke with Don Shultz of New Market Baptist.

The food was great and there were no leftovers...except maybe a few hushpuppies. The weather was not too hot and everyone seemed to have a good time of fellowship. Brother Jones and I talked for a bit about ministry and various things. I am at a loss for his first name but I know his son (Steve) real well, as he is Captain at the Huntsville Fire department.

When everything was all cleaned up and people left there were three of us who stayed and talked for about another hour. Tom Parker and Josh Harris, both youth guys from Wall Highway, and I had a good conversation. I had heard good things about these guys from my daughter and son-in-law. They seem to really have a good head on their shoulders.

Christian Archers' Event

Bethlehem Fishing Outing

I am getting a little behind on this blog....things have been busy! On Saturday, May 8, we had a great bunch of folks from Bethlehem Baptist in Hazel Green. I was very specific there because we have two Bethlehem Baptists in our association. The other one is located in Lacey Spring.

Anyway the week before, much of this same group came up and cut the grass at the camp and did an outstanding job trimming around the upper pond. One of the guys cooking was Ron Glass. I knew his son Ron from Flint River. They had the grill going and things smelling good.

My wife and I walked around the pond taking a few pictures and talking with some of the folks who came up. It wasn't long before one of the younger guys who came along landed a bass that was close to two pounds.

Bethlehem has been up here before and we really appreciate their help in keeping the camp up. Their Pastor Lon was helping one of the kids in his search for a nice sized fish. Talking with one of the gentlemen fishing on the bank he said that Lon could very easy be a guide if he wanted to.....but then again isn't that a mark of a good pastor? Well it wasn't long before the boy landed a good shellcracker.

I would have to say this one was just shy of a pound. The weather was very nice and never really did get hot. It seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves and we certainly loved having them up here.

Whistle while you work . . .

All the weathermen were calling for the weekend to be a wash-out. I guess that is why they call it a prediction. We had a group come in from Betheleham Baptist last Thursday and did an outstanding job at the camp. Karen from the church called me the week before to reserve the camp for a fishing event on Saturday May 8th. This group of men brought their own mowers and had the grass looking good; especially the upper field as it looked like new carpet had just been put down. It is my understanding that the Pastor suited up in his waders and got in the water to give the upper pond a good trimming back. I have been told this group came up here last year and did the same thing. I did not get to meet any of these guys but hope to in the future. I want to send out a special thanks to the following for such a fine job: Lon Ostrzycki, Alan Ostrzycki, Dean Hamaker, Phillip Eady, Bob Milner, Jack Phillips, Billy Medlock, Dale Finley, Ron Glass, and Greg Culver

Saturday was a great workday and much was accomplished. Not sure if the threat of weather kept anyone away but we had a great group of guys. Andy Dobbs brought a crew from Locust Grove and they spent most of their time working on the equipment shed.

He had heavy equipment going this way and that, and even had a mishap or two, but no one was hurt (beyond a pinched finger) in the ordeal. It appears that the shed is close to half-way finished which is a major accomplishment. One of the guys in Andy's crew (Todd Gipson) really knew his way around a tractor/front-end loader. I guess when you do that for a living it helps.

Gipson's son was overheard saying, "A ninety pound boy carrying an eighty pound chain!" That's about the size of it all right!

Dueling tractors!

Clearing the debris from the site where the new shed is going . . .

Putting the sections together . . .

Watch out for your fingers!

Sam Kelly was all over the place and involved in every project. He was up there with the guys putting the shed together one minute and then down splitting a cord of wood the next. Now I have seen a lot of fires but the one Sam had going was ...remember the movie Towering Inferno?! I don't think there is anything he can't do.

Rob Peavy was there and brought along some help as well. He is another one who is always involved. President Reagan was called "the great communicator" but Rob just might give him a run for his money and Rob's pretty handy with a chainsaw as well. John Prince, the guy that came with Rob, was a great help as he assisted me in loading and unloading three huge piles of brush. I was thinking the whole time he was riding with me.....you sure you ain't kin to Rob?

Chairman of the Camp MACOBA committee Chris Wilson was on the scene and did some mighty fine work on the grill as there was almost no food left over!

Oh yeah and Chris certainly has the heart of a servant as he was cleaning the camp bathrooms earlier in the day.

My lovely wife Denise was such a help with many things, especially serving up lunch and then taking care of the clean-up. Only for about ten minutes out of the whole day did we head for cover because of the weather.

Everyone enjoys a break for lunch!

Let's see many of the guys brought their kids with them as I believe the total was 18. The adults were: Rob Peavy, Sam Kelly, Chris Wilson, Andy Dobbs, John Prince, Todd Gipson, Tom Brink, Dewayne Hall, Jonathan Dobbs and me and my wife.